News Briefs for the Week of June 9, 2002
By Marcella Durand for Cat Facts
- Cat Scratch Fever More Common in Children
Children are at a higher risk of contracting cat scratch disease than adults, says researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Children under 10 years of age are the most likely to develop the infection.
"Children may simply be at greater risk of exposure," says Mary Reynolds, PhD, from the CDC, "and because they often, unintentionally or otherwise, provoke aggressive behavior from animals," she told Reuters Health.
The CDC estimates there are about 22,000 new cases each year of cat scratch disease. The symptoms include swollen lymph nodes and fever. The infection is usually not serious and many children recover without any treatment. It is transmitted via fleas from cat to cat. It is unclear how it is transmitted from cat to human, despite its name; however, scratches, licks or bites from a cat are considered risk factors.
"All pet owners should be careful to prevent flea infestations in their pets, as cat fleas are involved in maintaining infections in animals," says Reynolds. "And naturally, scratches and abrasions from any animal should be thoroughly cleaned as soon as possible."
Another good way to prevent cat scratch disease is to teach your children how to handle cats gently so that they don't get scratched or bitten.
To learn more about cat scratch disease, the Cat Fanciers Association has an informative article at www.cfainc.org/health/csd.html.
- Video Helps Keep Sick Cats Entertained
One of the very few pleasures when we're sick is the chance to watch television all day in bed. Well, it seems cats like to indulge the same way when they're under the weather.
Treatment with radioactive iodine is an option for cat owners whose cats have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. While the treatment will permanently cure the condition, it requires that cats be isolated for up to three weeks, only seeing a human when they receive food twice a day. When Sally Quillian, the owner of Ms. Kitty, heard about this, she decided that her precious pet could not sit alone for so much time. While Ms. Kitty ultimately didn't receive radiation treatment, Quillian decided to donate a television and VCR, along with a bird video, to Oklahoma State University (OSU) College of Veterinary Medicine, which now regularly uses them to keep the cats entertained.
"The video lasts about two hours and we play it twice a day for every cat that is in the isolation ward after receiving I-131 treatment for hyperthyroidism," says Susan M. Eddlestone, DVM, an assistant professor in Small Animal Medicine at OSU. "Most cats seem to be intrigued with the video and watch intensely the first few times."
Does this mean that when your cat cuddles up next to you on the sofa, she's really just there to watch TV?
To learn more about feline hyperthyroidism, the Cat Fanciers Association has an informative article at www.cfainc.org/health/hyperthyroidism.html
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